Animal Crossing: New Horizons gets Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Ver. 3.0 Update this January
With every new Nintendo console, one question inevitably crops up: “when is my favourite series coming to it?”. If you’re a fan of Animal Crossing, and you’re wondering when the series will show up on Nintendo Switch 2, the answer is… this January, with Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and a Ver. 3.0 update!
Here’s a rather lengthy trailer (over 12 minutes) introducing both:
Both Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and the Ver. 3.0 will launch on the same day: on January 15th, to be precise. Pricing is as follows:
- Ver. 3.0 update: free for everyone who already owns the game
- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (full package): $64.99 / 7,128 Yen
- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (upgrade): $4.99 / 550 Yen
Pre-orders for both the full package and the upgrade are now available on the Nintendo eShop.
What can you expect in Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition? Well, the usual upgrades and features making use of the console specs and features such as higher resolution visuals, mouse controls, an in-game megaphone that uses the system’s built-in microphone, online play for up to 12 players and CameraPlay.
Here’s all the details (and a video with some additional footage):
- Improved resolution (4K in TV mode. FPS capped at 30).
- Mouse controls with the right Joy-Con 2 controller to decorate indoors, create Custom Designs and even compose hand-written bulletin-board messages.
- Locate residents by calling their names using the in-game megaphone item and the built-in Nintendo Switch 2 microphone.
- Join 12-player sessions for online sessions if everyone is playing the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
- Play with friends via CameraPlay. Connect a compatible USB camera (sold separately) and see their reactions in-game while exploring your island together.
As for the Ver. 3.0 (available for both the original version and the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition), it brings quite a lot of additional content: a new resort hotel run by Kapp’n’s family, new themed items and characters, extra exclusives like Slumber Island for Nintendo Switch Online members and more. The best part? It’s completely free!
Here’s all the details (and a video with some additional footage):
- Resort Hotel’s Grand Opening: A resort hotel is opening on the pier, and it’s run by Kapp’n’s family. To bring in guests from off the island, you’ll help out by decorating guest rooms and more. Plus, find new furniture and clothing at the souvenir shop and dress up mannequins with outfits that guests can wear.
- Making Island Life More Convenient: Want a fresh start? Resetti is on hand with a convenient Reset Service to help tidy up your island. Additionally, you can now upgrade your home storage to hold up to 9,000 items, and store trees, shrubs and flowers there, too.
- Slumber Island: Players with a Nintendo Switch Online membership can design and save up to three islands and play with friends online. Select the size and layout of the island, build and design it collaboratively, access your inventory and decorate, plus invite residents from your home island.
- Collaborations: Collect Nintendo items like the Ultra Hand and Nintendo consoles in-game to add some classic flair to your island. Nintendo Switch Online members can play select classic Nintendo titles in-game when interacting with specific Nintendo console items, too! LEGO® items will also make their debut with this update. And use select The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon series amiibo to invite certain characters — and unlock various items inspired by those series.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (Switch 2) and the Ver. 3.0 come out on January 15th worldwide.
Source: Nintendo PR (30/10/2025)
